Broad Ripple Village is one of six areas designated as cultural districts

Indianapolis Cultural Districts

Indianapolis has six designated neighborhoods as Cultural Districts: Broad Ripple Village, Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, the Wholesale District, the Canal & White River State Park, and Indiana Avenue.-Broad Ripple Village:...

 in Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...

. Located about six miles (11 km) north of Downtown Indianapolis

Downtown Indianapolis

The term Downtown Indianapolis refers to the central business district of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The boundaries of downtown Indianapolis have varied over time as the city has grown. The city's original platted area, the Mile Square, is sometimes used to denote the downtown area...

, Broad Ripple was established in 1837 as an independent municipality and annexed to the city of Indianapolis in 1922. The neighborhood has a reputation for being socially, economically, and ethnically diverse and is thus generally associated with its vibrant social scene and progressive

Progressivism

Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...

 political attitudes. Broad Ripple is represented in Washington by Democrat Andre Carson

André Carson

André D. Carson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since the special election in 2008. He is a member of the Democratic Party....

.

Broad Ripple's position as a cornerstone of Indianapolis youth culture and nightlife

Nightlife

Nightlife is the collective term for any entertainment that is available and more popular from the late evening into the early hours of the morning...

 is a result of its thriving bar scene and the near presence of Butler University

Butler University

Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...

 and IUPUI.
Staying true to the neighborhood motto "we're open if you are," numerous Broad Ripple bars and restaurants remain open as late as 3am - often on weekdays as well as weekends. The neighborhood is home to many of Indianapolis' premier locally owned restaurants, independent art galleries, private boutique

Boutique

A boutique is a small shopping outlet, especially one that specializes in elite and fashionable items such as clothing and jewelry. The word is French for "shop", via Latin from Greek ἀποθήκη , "storehouse"....

s and specialty shops, and the popular Monon Trail

Monon Trail

The Monon Trail is a rail trail in Indiana. It uses a portion of the Chicago-Indianapolis main line of the former Monon Railroad, which was abandoned between Indianapolis and Delphi, Indiana in 1987.The trail serves both bicyclists and pedestrians...

. Within just a few city blocks one can find a wide variety of food, including Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Italian, Cajun, Middle Eastern, French, English, and Japanese as well as traditional American fare and four independent microbreweries. Entertainment offerings include Indianapolis's preeminent professional comedy club and multiple venues for live music, showcasing both local artists and nationally touring acts in genres such as rock, hip hop, country, and jazz. In 2004 a free biweekly newspaper, The Broad Ripple Gazette, was created by Broad Ripple native Alan Hague.

Broad Ripple High School

Broad Ripple High School

Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts & Humanities, established in 1886, is a magnet school of the Indianapolis Public Schools.-History:...

, one of the earliest Indianapolis Public Schools

Indianapolis Public Schools

Indianapolis Public Schools, abbreviated locally as IPS, is the largest school district in Indianapolis as well as in the state of Indiana with 33,372 students enrolled in 2009-2010...

, is located within the Village. Some notable Hoosier

Hoosier

Hoosier is the official demonym for a resident of the U.S. state of Indiana. Although residents of most U.S. states typically adopt a derivative of the state name, e.g., "Indianan" or "Indianian", natives of Indiana rarely use these. Indiana adopted the nickname "Hoosier State" more than 150...

s raised in or near the Broad Ripple neighborhood include late night talk show host David Letterman

David Letterman

David Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...

, professional football player Rosevelt Colvin

Rosevelt Colvin

Rosevelt Colvin, III is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft, he played college football at Purdue....

, astronaut David Wolf, and authors Dan Wakefield

Dan Wakefield

Dan Wakefield is an American novelist, journalist and screenwriter. His best-selling novels, Going All the Way and Starting Over were made into feature films...

 and Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. was a 20th century American writer. His works such as Cat's Cradle , Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions blend satire, gallows humor and science fiction. He was known for his humanist beliefs and was honorary president of the American Humanist Association.-Early...

.